THE OCEAN – ‘PROJECT AWARE’
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanThe sea is by far one of the greatest gifts that Mother Nature has to offer us.
Project AWARE is one of the great organizations getting the word out and ‘Protecting our Ocean Planet – One Dive at a Time’. They are a global force of divers mobilized to protect the great expanse of ocean in more than 180 countries and territories.
So far in the month of February alone, there are a number of action efforts that have been planned. It is a fantastic way to come together to support a truly positive environmental cause and meet new friends along the way. On February 2oth, clear across the continent in the Red Sea near Jordan, the Ahlan Aqaba Scuba Diving Centre will conduct a reef clean-up dive and survey at King Abdulla Reef, known for its wondrous corals, rainbow-colored sponges, turtles and pennant fish. If not for these planned initiatives, this reef could not maintain its naive beauty.
On Wednesday, February 22nd, the Oceans 5 Dive Resort in the Turtle Capital of the World, Gili Islands, Indonesia, will make use of the entire day to conduct a beach and reef clean-up. It is not only a way to give back to the environment but also a way to meet new and exciting individuals with a common interest.
That same day, February 22nd, on Xcalak Beach in Mexico, lovers of nature, beaches and the sea will come together to do a beach clean-up of recyclable plastic bottles, an inherent danger to the marine life community. These bottles will ultimately be bundled up and compressed and finally recycled. In addition, a volleyball and football game will take place along with a post-cleaning party.
On February 24th, exotic Thailand will be the place to be. At the Mae Haad Pier Koh Tao, visitors and residents alike will gather for not only a land clean-up but an underwater clean-up as well. It is one of the best ways to help nature maintain its beauty, dive for free and meet others with a concern for the ocean. Fishing nets endanger our turtles, dolphins, whales, sharks and other marine life unnecessarily.
On February 25th, in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the 2012 Campaign of Diving Against Debris will continue with removal of unused and entangled nets.
Right here in the United States at Driftwood Beach in the Chesapeake Ranch Estates in Calvert County in Maryland, February 26th will be a day of fun and fanfare. The First Annual Chilly Crab Clean-Up will be a beach clean-up and a dive along the shore line to clean up the underwater grounds. Divers and participants of the clean-up will be treated to hotdogs, burgers, beverages and a shelter with a kerosene heater for divers, all provided by Southern Maryland Divers. There will be much more to cap off the day’s festivities and activities.
Project AWARE also promotes protection of the shark. The shark is essential to our ecology and it is imperative to get the word out that we cannot let them be harmed and become extinct. Recently, Project AWARE celebrated the shark finning ban for Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama waters in addition to all vessels that fly their flags. The message is spreading rapidly and spreading far. Sharks are a critical component to healthy and thriving marine ecosystems.
This great organization, Project AWARE, has made such an unequivocal impact on our seas and our beaches. They have brought about positive change in so many ways. With the assistance of generous donations, Project AWARE has awarded grants for the past 20 years in support of these paramount conservation projects so that the work can continue to make a huge difference for our next generation.
If you have a love for the ocean, love for diving or simply want to try and make a difference in the world and the environment, you can find out more at : www.projectaware.org.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF www.projectaware.org.
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